Swami Dayanand given sacred burial

Rishikesh: The mortal remains of Swami Dayanand Giri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's spiritual guru, was laid to rest at his ashram in Sheeshamjhadi area here today after elaborate Vedic rituals, in the presence of saints, seers and a large number of his followers.

Swami Dayanand's body was sprinkled with holy waters before it was lowered into his grave (bhoo-samadhi) in a sitting position at a spot facing the river Ganga, amid chanting of Vedic hymns.

A number of eminent people from the socio-political arena including RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabole, BJP leader Ram Madhav, VHP leader Ashok Singhal and Sadhvi Prachi gathered at the ashram to pay the Swami their last respects and witness his ceremonious burial. Dattatreya Hosabole had also brought with him a written message from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, condoling the spiritual guru's death.

The 87-year-old ascetic, a well-known Vedanta scholar who established his ashram in Rishikesh in 1964, passed away at his ashram in Sheeshamjhadi late on Wednesday night hours after being brought back there as per his last wish from the Himalayan Hospital after ten days of treatment. Swami who had long been ill was paid a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11 to enquire about his health.